A.R.'s Blog

Only child and trainee skating star Lalla is allowed to enjoy a family Christmas, complete with other children, for the first time in her life.

This is my favourite of Streatfield's novels (that I have read so far). I've liked almost all of them, including her most famous work Ballet Shoes, but this one speaks to me the most. Christmas is the first time that Lalla's allies dare to act against the stifling Aunt Claudia, and give her a taste of the childhood she has been missing out on.

'Although Nana had to say no to Lalla at the time, she thought it a great pity that Lalla could not have a family Christmas for once, so that was why she asked Uncle David to help.'Noel Streatfield, White Boots (HaperCollins Children's Books, 2008), p.129.